Sealable Bag Assembly

ABSTRACT

A bag assembly including a bag body, and two bag handles. The body includes a first side, and a second side substantially parallel to the first. The body has formed therein: a first horizontal pre-fold a first distance from the top of the body, and a horizontal second pre-fold at a second distance from the top of the body greater than twice the first distance. Each bag handle is attached to an opposing side of the body across handle attachment areas. The topmost extent of each handle attachment areas not extending into an area defined by a first bottom border measured from the top of the bag body down the second distance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/805,865, filed Mar. 27, 2013, and titled “Sealable Bag Assembly,” thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates to bags generally. Example embodimentsrelate to sealable bag assemblies.

BACKGROUND

A bag is a common form for a non-rigid container. Inexpensive single-useor limited use bags, typically made of paper or plastic, are ubiquitousin retail trade. In particular, shopping bags are medium-sized bags,typically between 2.5 and 5 gallons in volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certainexample embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certainexample embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certainexample embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certainexample embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certainexample embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certainexample embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

The technology described herein includes apparatuses and method forpackaging. In some embodiments, a bag comprises a bag body, a first baghandle, and a second bag handle. The bag body comprises a first side,and a second side substantially parallel to the first side. The bag bodyhas formed therein a first pre-fold horizontally in the direction of thefirst side of the bag body a first distance from the top of the bagbody; and a a second pre-fold horizontally in the direction of the firstpre-fold, and at a second distance from the top of the bag body thesecond distance being greater than twice the first distance. The bagassembly further comprises a first bag handle attached to the first sideof the bag body across one or more first handle attachment areas, thetopmost extent of the first handle attachment areas not extending intoan area defined by a first bottom border measured from the top of thebag body down the second distance. The bag assembly further comprises asecond bag handle, similar to the first bag handle, and attached to thesecond side of the bag body across one or more second handle attachmentareas, the topmost extent of the second handle attachment areas notextending into an area defined by a second bottom border measure fromthe top of the bag body down the second distance.

In some embodiments, the second distance is greater than twice the firstdistance by approximately the thickness of the first side plus thethickness of the second side. In some embodiments, the bag body furthercomprises an adhesive in the area above the first pre-fold on the secondside. In some embodiments, each pre-fold is a heat-formed pre-fold.

In some embodiments the bag body has further formed therein an adhesivelabel attachment area below the second pre-fold. In some suchembodiments, the first bottom border is measured from the top of the bagbody down the second distance plus an adhesive label attachment area,and the second bottom border is measured from the top of the bag bodydown the second distance plus an adhesive label attachment area.

In some embodiments the bag assembly further comprises an adhesive labelsized to cover a horizontal portion of the area of the second wide sideof the bag body between the first pre-fold and the second pre-fold andat least a portion of the adhesive label attachment area adjoining thefirst fold when the bag assembly is in a sealed configuration. In somesuch embodiments, the adhesive label comprises a release strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present technology address the need for low costpackaging usable for delivering a variety of items, which packaging canbe sealed. A sealable bag of the present technology can reduced the riskof packaged items being lost from the package, can deter theft, and canindicate whether the contents of the bag have been tampered with duringthe delivery process or on the customer's doorstep. The structure of atypical handled paper grocery bag allows for low cost production but isnot readily sealable given the way the handles are attached and the waythe bag deforms once it is loaded with items and picked up by the bag'shandles.

In sealing the top of the traditional bags, the weight of the bag mayput tension through the handle attachment points, thereby separating thehandles from each other. This may be further complicated by the factthat different amounts of items will push the walls of the bag furtherout and increase the distance between the handles and the angle of thehandles towards each other. For example, with a full conventional paperbag, the angle between a significant portion of each handle approaches180 degrees.

The handles of a conventional bag can interfere with an attempt to sealthe top edge of a conventional bag. For handles that break up the edge(typical for handled conventional bags—paper or otherwise), a seal mustwork around them. The loose area of the edges between the handle alsotends to billow out on the two ends of the bag. Capturing all this witha low cost paper seal is difficult since the flat area will tend topucker and not allow for continuous sealing.

Embodiments of the present technology include methods by which the topedge of the bag can be raised, and folded or rolled, to create a sealthat is less susceptible to stress from the weight of the bag.Embodiments of the technology involve raising the top edge of the bagwhile maintaining the low position of the handles.

While many bag seals rely on the strength of the adhesive or stickerprimarily to keep the bag closed, the folded edge used in embodiments ofthe present technology can lock the material in place mechanicallythrough the fold. Consequently, there can be less tension put on thetape/adhesive used to seal the bag.

Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like (butnot necessarily identical) elements throughout the figures, exampleembodiments of the present technology are described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 1 an example bag assembly 100 according to embodimentsof the present technology is show. The bag body 110 can be formed in theconventional manner. In some embodiments, the bag body can be formedlarger than the rated bag capacity would otherwise call for, at least inpart to account for the reduction in bag capacity caused by folding thetop of the bag. A single bag handle 120 is shown. Bag handle 120 can besecured to bag body 110 by one or more adhesives. Bag handle 120 can besecured to the bag by other means, such as staples, tape, melting (forplastic bags), ultrasonic welding (for bags of material amenable toultrasonic welding), and other methods appropriate to the material ofthe bag and the material of the handle. Bag handle 120 can be secured tothe bag at a position proportionally further down the bag body than inconventional bags, at least in part to accommodate folding the upperportion of bag body 110 to secure bag contents. While a folded paperhandle 120 is shown, other handles, e.g., rolled paper, plastic, metal,can be used. In each case, the handle can be secured proportionallylower down the bag body 110 than in traditional handled delivery bags.Another such handle 220 can be positioned on the opposing side of thebag.

Bag 100 can have formed therein at least one pre-fold, and asillustrated includes two (2) pre-folds—first pre-fold 130 and secondpre-fold 140. As illustrated, first pre-fold 130 is slightly shorterthan second pre-fold. This approach allows the material above the firstpre-fold 130 to fit under the second pre-fold 140 when the top portionof the bag body 110 is folded twice. Folding the top portion of the bagbody 110 twice can promote a mechanical retention of the closure. Themechanical retention can be further promoted by creasing each fold,optionally under application of heat. In some embodiments, an adhesivecan be used on the outer back side bag body 110 material above the firstpre-fold 130.

FIG. 2 illustrates a folded and sealed configuration 200 of bag assembly100 using an adhesive label 210 with an integrated release strip 250.Adhesive label 210 covers substantially all the width of the bag body110 horizontally, and covers substantially all the exposed surface ofthe first fold 130. Vertically, adhesive label 210 extends down the bagbody 110 under the free portion of the handle 120. A portion of rearhandle 220 can be seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates the reverse side 300 of the folded and sealedconfiguration 200 of bag assembly 100. Rear handle 220 is fully visiblein this view. A second adhesive label 310 (not used for securing foldsof the bag) can be seen.

FIG. 4 illustrates an open configuration 400 of bag assembly 100. Thefirst pre-fold 130 and the second pre-fold 140, can be seen, as can theremains 412 of adhesive label 210. The remains 412 of the adhesive labelare the portions of the adhesive label that may be left after therelease strip 250 is removed.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bag assembly 500 in a folded configuration, sealedusing two folds 530 and 540 and an adhesive label 510 that coverssubstantially less than ½ of the horizontal dimension of the firstpre-fold 530.

FIG. 6 illustrates bag assembly 600 including bag body 610, two handles620 and 630, a short sealing adhesive label 640, and a delivery label650.

In some embodiments, the bag assembly can include a bag body, a firstbag handle, and a second bag handle. The bag body can include a firstside and a second side. The bag body can have formed therein, a firstpre-fold and a second pre-fold. The first pre-fold can be positionedhorizontally across the first side of the bag body a first distance fromthe top of the bag body. The second pre-fold can be positionedhorizontally across the first side of the bag body in the direction ofthe first pre-fold at a second distance from the top of the bag body.The second distance can be greater than twice the first distance byapproximately the thickness of the first side plus the thickness of thesecond side. The bag body also can have an adhesive label attachmentarea below the second pre-fold.

The first bag handle can be attached to the first side of the bag bodyacross one or more first handle attachment areas. The topmost extent ofthe first handle attachment areas not extending into an area defined bya bottom border measured from the top of the bag body down the seconddistance plus an adhesive label attachment area. If using a shortadhesive label, the attachment area can come right up to the fold. Thesecond bag handle, similar to the first bag handle, can be attached tothe second wide side of the bag body across one or more second handleattachment areas. The topmost extent of the second handle attachmentareas not extending into an area defined by a bottom border measure fromthe top of the bag body down the second distance plus an adhesive labelattachment area.

The adhesive label can be sized to cover a horizontal portion of thearea of the second side of the bag body between the first pre-fold andthe second pre-fold. At least a portion of the adhesive label attachmentarea can adjoin the first fold when the bag assembly is in a sealedconfiguration.

In some embodiments, pre-folds are not formed in the bag body, butsufficient material to fold the bag body and to apply an adhesive labelacross the first fold and the bag body as described herein is providedabove the handle attachment areas.

In methods of the technology, items can be loaded into a bag assemblyhaving first and second pre-folds as described herein, the bag body canbe folded at the first pre-fold, then folded at the second pre-fold, andthen sealed across a portion of (or substantially all of) the exposedbag body between the first pre-fold and the second pre-fold using anadhesive label of the bag assembly.

The example systems, methods, and acts described in the embodimentspresented previously are illustrative, and, in alternative embodiments,certain acts can be performed in a different order, in parallel with oneanother, omitted entirely, and/or combined between different exampleembodiments, and/or certain additional acts can be performed, withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of various embodiments. Accordingly,such alternative embodiments are included in the technology describedherein.

Although specific embodiments have been described above in detail, thedescription is merely for purposes of illustration. It should beappreciated, therefore, that many aspects described above are notintended as required or essential elements unless explicitly statedotherwise. Modifications of, and equivalent components or actscorresponding to, the disclosed aspects of the example embodiments, inaddition to those described above, can be made by a person of ordinaryskill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of embodiments defined in thefollowing claims, the scope of which is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalentstructures.

We claim:
 1. A bag assembly comprising: a bag body comprising a firstside, and a second side substantially parallel to the first side; thebag body having formed therein a first pre-fold horizontally in thedirection of the first side of the bag body a first distance from thetop of the bag body, and a second pre-fold horizontally in the directionof the first pre-fold and at a second distance from the top of the bagbody, the second distance being greater than twice the first distance; afirst bag handle attached to the first side of the bag body across oneor more first handle attachment areas, the topmost extent of the firsthandle attachment areas not extending into an area defined by a firstbottom border measured from the top of the bag body down the seconddistance; and a second bag handle, similar to the first bag handle, andattached to the second side of the bag body across one or more secondhandle attachment areas, the topmost extent of the second handleattachment areas not extending into an area defined by a second bottomborder measure from the top of the bag body down the second distance. 2.The bag assembly of claim 1, wherein the second distance is greater thantwice the first distance by approximately the thickness of the firstside plus the thickness of the second side.
 3. The bag assembly of claim1, wherein the bag body further comprises an adhesive in the area abovethe first pre-fold on the second side.
 4. The bag assembly of claim 1,wherein each pre-fold is a heat-formed pre-fold.
 5. The bag assembly ofclaim 1, wherein: the bag body has further formed therein an adhesivelabel attachment area below the second pre-fold; the first bottom borderis measured from the top of the bag body down the second distance plusan adhesive label attachment area; and the second bottom border ismeasured from the top of the bag body down the second distance plus anadhesive label attachment area.
 6. The bag assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising an adhesive label sized to cover a horizontal portion of thearea of the second wide side of the bag body between the first pre-foldand the second pre-fold and at least a portion of the adhesive labelattachment area adjoining the first fold when the bag assembly is in asealed configuration.
 7. The bag assembly of claim 6, wherein theadhesive label comprises a release strip.
 8. A method for packaging,comprising: providing a bag assembly, comprising a bag body comprising afirst side, and a second side substantially parallel to the first side;the bag body having formed therein a first pre-fold horizontally in thedirection of the first side of the bag body a first distance from thetop of the bag body, and a second pre-fold horizontally in the directionof the first pre-fold at a second distance from the top of the bag body,the second distance being greater than twice the first distance; a firstbag handle attached to the first side of the bag body across one or morefirst handle attachment areas, the topmost extent of the first handleattachment areas not extending into an area defined by a first bottomborder measured from the top of the bag body down the second distance;and a second bag handle, similar to the first bag handle, and attachedto the second side of the bag body across one or more second handleattachment areas, the topmost extent of the second handle attachmentareas not extending into an area defined by a second bottom bordermeasure from the top of the bag body down the second distance. openingthe bag assembly; inserting items into the interior of the bag assemblyfolding the bag body at a first pre-fold, then folding the bag body at asecond pre-fold, and sealing the bag body using an adhesive label. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein the second distance is greater than twicethe first distance by approximately the thickness of the first side plusthe thickness of the second side.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein thebag body further comprises an adhesive in the area above the firstpre-fold on the second side.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein eachpre-fold is a heat-formed pre-fold.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein:the bag body has further formed therein an adhesive label attachmentarea below the second pre-fold; the first bottom border is measured fromthe top of the bag body down the second distance plus an adhesive labelattachment area; and the second bottom border is measured from the topof the bag body down the second distance plus an adhesive labelattachment area.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising anadhesive label sized to cover a horizontal portion of the area of thesecond wide side of the bag body between the first pre-fold and thesecond pre-fold and at least a portion of the adhesive label attachmentarea adjoining the first fold when the bag assembly is in a sealedconfiguration.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the adhesive labelcomprises a release strip.